Ken Kennerly: IMG takeover won’t affect Honda Classic

When global sports giant IMG bought the sports management company that runs the Honda Classic last April, Ken Kennerly, the tournament’s executive director and President and CEO of that management company, IGP, made it clear the Honda would not undergo any perceptible changes going forward.

This week, with the William Morris Agency stepping up to purchase IMG for $2.3 billion, Kennerly was issuing the same assurances.

“This is not going to affect the tournament in any way,” Kennerly said.

Initially at least, it seemed there was reason for concern. William Morris does most of its business in the television and film industry, which are based on the West Coast in general and Hollywood specifically. Speculation was that, with TV and movie revenues flattening out and, as a report in the Los Angeles Times put it, that business becoming “mature,” the agency now wants to delve more deeply into the sports business, which is still perceived to have quite a bit of upside.

Might William Morris flex its muscles and arrange for the Honda to become part of the West Coast swing?

Kennerly said no way. “The tournament is not the property of IMG, just as it was never the property of IGP in the past,” Kennerly said. “It’s actually owned by the charity that is the benefactor of the money the tournament makes, as well as the PGA Tour.”

That charity is the Children’s Healthcare Charity, which benefits the Nicklaus Children’s Healthcare Foundation. Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, who of course are longtime residents of Lost Tree Village in North Palm Beach, have strived through many years of fundraising to establish a program that will diagnosis, treat and cure childhood diseases, and the Honda as it is now structured has been hugely successful in that endeavor.

Also, the American Honda Motor Company has the longest-running sponsorship deal of any event on the PGA Tour and is clearly satisfied that it’s been good business to work with Kennerly and PGA National Resort in maintaining the success of the tournament.

“There’s no reason to believe there will be any noticeable changes in the Honda going forward,” Kennerly said.

This year’s Honda Classic will once again serve as the kickoff to the Florida swing on the PGA Tour and is set for Feb. 24-March 2. Michael Thompson is expected back as defending champion and a quality field that most likely will once again feature Tiger Woods is anticipated.